Results 3,461-3,480 of 10,577 for speaker:Barry Cowen

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Vacant Housing (Refurbishment) Bill 2017: Discussion (23 Nov 2017)

Barry Cowen: I thank the Chairman and the committee for agreeing to discuss and scrutinise this legislation at such short notice after Second Stage was agreed in the Dáil. The Vacant Housing (Refurbishment) Bill essentially creates a one-stop shop for approving refurbishment projects in local authorities, which will remove many of the existing administrative hurdles to redeveloping vacant...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Vacant Housing (Refurbishment) Bill 2017: Discussion (23 Nov 2017)

Barry Cowen: I thank Senator Boyhan for his contribution and welcome his support for the Bill in the round. The whole area of protected structures is at the whim of the conservation architect in a local authority who, during the course of a preparation of a development plan, may make certain recommendations. Councillors democratically decide on the merits of these without necessarily having the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Vacant Housing (Refurbishment) Bill 2017: Discussion (23 Nov 2017)

Barry Cowen: I ask the Vice Chairman to take another question while I prepare my response to Deputy Ó Broin because I acknowledge the significance and importance of his questions.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Vacant Housing (Refurbishment) Bill 2017: Discussion (23 Nov 2017)

Barry Cowen: I will deal first with the last questions asked. There may be some overlap. I welcome the continued commitment of members to the thrust of the Bill, which, as Deputy Ó Broin correctly stated, was also the tone on Second Stage, during which support for the Bill was obvious. I acknowledge that and know that members are interested in exploring the Bill in order to improve it and make it...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Vacant Housing (Refurbishment) Bill 2017: Discussion (23 Nov 2017)

Barry Cowen: Yes. The members are correct that the creation of such a facility within a local authority or grouping can be a very proactive measure in this area, rather than reactive. This is a very good suggestion. In answer to Senator Coffey's first query, the answer is "Yes". During the course of the deliberations, we consulted widely with stakeholders including council officials and especially...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Vacant Housing (Refurbishment) Bill 2017: Discussion (23 Nov 2017)

Barry Cowen: I thank Deputy O'Dowd for his comments and queries. I am glad to see he is obviously reading many Fianna Fáil documents. He could help us win a second seat in Louth.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Vacant Housing (Refurbishment) Bill 2017: Discussion (23 Nov 2017)

Barry Cowen: Deputy O'Dowd's points on conservation are well made and have been understood. In no way do we want to compromise conservation, no more than we want to compromise health and safety, fire certification or anything else in relation to building. What we are looking for is greater clarification around technical guidance. The example we gave on Dublin City Council and the Georgian core involves...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Vacant Housing (Refurbishment) Bill 2017: Discussion (23 Nov 2017)

Barry Cowen: The Senator makes the same point Senator Coffey made earlier, which is the potential is there for such a system or mechanism within local authorities to be proactive and even to make recommendations through the Department as to how to improve the criteria, for example, regarding the repair-and-lease scheme and for the Government ultimately to take on board such recommendations in order to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Vacant Housing (Refurbishment) Bill 2017: Discussion (23 Nov 2017)

Barry Cowen: I will take on board the Senator's recommendations regarding investigating the system of conservation methods used in order to facilitate the retention of the buildings she mentioned in the Netherlands. As I said earlier, I am aware of some cities in the UK that have also in recent times come up with a mechanism that retains those kinds of buildings, their facades especially. Perhaps that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Vacant Housing (Refurbishment) Bill 2017: Discussion (23 Nov 2017)

Barry Cowen: I ask the Deputy to repeat his comments. I apologise.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Vacant Housing (Refurbishment) Bill 2017: Discussion (23 Nov 2017)

Barry Cowen: I thank Deputy Ellis. I will begin by responding to his final question on how long it will take for a Bill to be enacted by the Oireachtas. If the urgency of the situation is taken into account, this can be done quickly. We have previously sat long nights to assist other sectors. There is a significant responsibility on the Oireachtas to help and assist people who are in dire housing...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Vacant Housing (Refurbishment) Bill 2017: Discussion (23 Nov 2017)

Barry Cowen: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Vacant Housing (Refurbishment) Bill 2017: Discussion (23 Nov 2017)

Barry Cowen: One of the primary drivers of the Bill is as a result of the representations of retailers and subsequent consultation. In addition, members of political parties and none highlighted the dilapidation and underuse of properties in their area and the barriers to the possible potential use. The barriers remain in place if we do not do take action as suggested in the Bill, which focuses the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Vacant Housing (Refurbishment) Bill 2017: Discussion (23 Nov 2017)

Barry Cowen: I think I will come again.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Vacant Housing (Refurbishment) Bill 2017: Discussion (23 Nov 2017)

Barry Cowen: We want it to be issued more quickly, as do the public.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Vacant Housing (Refurbishment) Bill 2017: Discussion (23 Nov 2017)

Barry Cowen: I thank the officials for attending and for their response. It is obviously vital that we hear from the departmental officials. There is universal support and approval among all parties and none for addressing this issue. There are things that we can do to address the short-term issues. We know there are major ongoing efforts on the medium to long-term issues which we could spend several...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Vacant Housing (Refurbishment) Bill 2017: Discussion (23 Nov 2017)

Barry Cowen: I will have to remember two or three more. There are guidelines in place for new buildings, but there are no guidelines for the refurbishment of existing buildings. When somebody tries to find out whether there are exemptions to the guidelines for existing buildings, there is nothing to refer to and that must be rectified.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Vacant Housing (Refurbishment) Bill 2017: Discussion (23 Nov 2017)

Barry Cowen: The current planning system is failing us. It was mentioned that the Planning and Development (Strategic Housing Development) Regulations 2017 mean that large scale housing developments go directly to An Bord Pleanála. However, it is up to Members of the Oireachtas to ensure there is a statutory timeframe for decisions to be made by An Bord Pleanála. It is also up to us to ensure...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Vacant Housing (Refurbishment) Bill 2017: Discussion (23 Nov 2017)

Barry Cowen: I sincerely hope so because if we do not see that matter being addressed, we will bring forward legislation. Who ever does it first, it will be in the interests of those whom we represent.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Vacant Housing (Refurbishment) Bill 2017: Discussion (23 Nov 2017)

Barry Cowen: The technical guidelines must be put in place. The current system of inspections cannot be allowed to continue. That is why we think this proposal will enhance and improve the process going forward. All properties will be inspected and the worry about subdivision will be addressed. Evidence from a recent programme suggests this issue is ridiculous in the extreme. The self-certification...